Vandalism of vital projects SHOCKING

2015-07-22 06:00

Lynn Hitchcock

Upon exposing the sewer line from Solomon Village, it was discovered that the reason for the overflow into the vlei and ultimately the Greytown stream was because sub-contractors omitted to install piping in the centre section of the line connected t

IS it criminal? Is it drugs? Is it just sheer irresponsibility and a total disregard for the health of their families, neighbours and the community?

There is however, shocking vandalism in the past week of vital­ and necessary projects to ease the drastic shortage of water in the current drought.

Last week the Greytown Drought Water committee held a meeting with the Department of Water and Sanitation. Key concerns are stil disregarded by the minority who continue to waste water - washing vehicles with water from Jojos which have been put up to alleviate the non-supply during the day and night, the continued operation of car washes, which have not been stopped, Jojo tanks have been and#034;stabbedand#034; and taps torn off, etc.

It is alleged that some unscrupulous individuals are and#034;sellingand#034; municipal water - filling up at a Jojo tank - an NP-registrated bakkie was seen filling up a number of containers from the freely accessible tap on the King Edward Park soccer field.

Lake Merthley is close to 20% - a critically low and disastrous level, yet despite TV weather reports showing the occasional flurry of wet weather in this part of the world, rain is not really expected until spring.

At the meeting it was reported that Greytown had obtained finance to drill four boreholes to feed water into the Kranskop road reservoir for Enahlalakahle and Solomon residents.

Within 30 minutes of the boreholes operating some and#034;sick- minded scavengersand#034; vandalised the DB box on one borehole, then later tried to remove a pump from another borehole.

Committee member Brian Walker, told the Greytown Gazette that it is unbelievable when the majority of water users are doing their best to save water, some resorted to such criminal activities.

Mr Walker said there had been a prompt response from 911, the SAPS and Field Security to halt the problem. Umzinyathiand#039;s Pradeep Ramdall informed the Greytown Gazette that some of the problems experienced by Enhlalakhle residents, who had not had water for two weeks, had been solved. However, the hospital is still a matter of concern.

In response to the increased drilling of bore holes Mr Ramlall said in terms of the National Water Act Schedule 1 “it is for reasonable domestic use only, provided it is not excessive in relation to capacity of resource and the needs of other usersand#034;.

Not only has Solomon Village had water supply problems - it has other major problems - a problem with sewage. The village was constructed by the Department of Human Settlements on behalf of Umvoti in 2011.

Stedone Mechincos was the contractor for the housing and civil works with Aurecon Consulting the engineers. Umzinyathi personnel were forced to expose the entire pipeline to discover that it was not or never had been connected to the main sewerage treatment plant. Raw sewerage is being discharged into the open vlei. Traces of sewerage have also drifted down between the railway line and Louis Botha Avenue. The Greytown stream has also been contaminated with sewerage.

The Solomon community are outraged at this poor service delivery from the department and its service providers which could lead to major health and quality- of-life problems.

The positive news is that the Umzinyathi’s “war on leaks” project in Enhalalkahle has led to remedial action in 212 of the 631 houses audited, and a further 214 were found to have no problems.

The water supply is becoming more critical and will continue to do so. To the majority who are trying their best, thank you for co-operating in saving water. To the minority­ - you are damaging yourselves, your families and your community through your pointless, anti-social and irresponsible wasting of water

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